One of the images, by artist Simon Yorke, chairman of the Independents Liverpool Biennial, is also on display until Wednesday at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

The exhibition is called Nomads, and has already been displayed in Paris, London and Liverpool.

Paintings of homeless people are on display across St Helens town centre.

Simon Yorke said: “The pieces started life in London when I met homeless people begging outside of Tate Modern.

“Portraits are usually of people who are loved and revered, but what’s interesting is that the people in these portraits don’t have anyone to love them, they’re ignored by society.

“I painted the eyes first because people often look away from homeless people, they don’t want to make eye contact with them. I’m hoping these portraits will help change that, that people will make eye contact.

“I approached each of the people and asked if I could photograph them. I never saw any of them again and they have never seen the finished portrait, but that fits in with the exhibition, because they are transient.”

Paintings of homeless people are on display across St Helens town centre.

The exhibition is organised by Merseyside church and business organisation Mission in the Economy, with the artworks on display until February 7.

Rev Dr Chris Daniel McKeigue, St Helens town centre chaplain from Mission In The Economy, said: “This is the first time we have had an exhibition of this size and it looks fabulous.”

“The portraits are as striking as I thought they would be, they sit well in the space, and make a bold statement."

Paintings of homeless people are on display across St Helens town centre.